VILLAGE BILLETS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20065, 11 October 1939, Page 5

VILLAGE BILLETS

WELCOME TO TROOPS ARRIVAL OF TOMMIES UNION JACKS SHOWN TYPICAL SCENE i (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Oct. 10. Scenes typical of many that have been occurring in French towns and villages during the last month on the arrival of British troops as the Expeditionary Force swells in size are described in a despatch from “Eyewitness.” (He writes that v/hen the news came that British troops were expected the sleepy life of a village sprang into feverish activity. Innkeepers hurried to get in big stocks of food and drink. Children manufactured Union Jacks. The Air Raid Precautions were tightened up and barns, schools, cinemas and cafes were prepared to billet the troops. Early in the afternoon children on the lookout in trees along the roadside descried the first British lorries. Everyone left their work abruptly to welcome them. To the of children, a long column oT motorised transport was soon rumbling through the cobbled main streets. Officers stepped out of camouflaged cars and took charge. Aid of Locall Authorities •Local authorities appeared land offered their services. Soon all the arrangements made in advance were being put smoothly into action. The billeting officer installed himself in a little cafe in the main square. The proprietor had fought side by side with the British in the last war and was pleased and proud to lodge them now. The baggage lorries arrived, billets were allocated and the people moved off to see what luck they had had. As evening drew on the street became filled with officers and men strolling up and down, meeting friends and comparing notes about billets and making arrangements for mess. All the normal process of army life was meanwhile going on. Signallers moved about busy with their communications. Motorised transport was being cunningly parked for the night, trenches were dug for the Air Raid Precautions purposes and field kitchens were set up. At dinner time all ranks mingled freely in the close quarters of the village.